National Republican., 1887-03-10
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Annual Commencement Of the Medical
Department.

Department..
Prof. John p. Sousa sat in the choir gal
iery ,at Congregational Church last night
and conducted the Marine Band orchestra
through the mazes of his overture "Van-
tom," while the people who had braved
the inclement weather to attend the eigh-
teenth annual commencement of Howard
University medical department crowed
into the seats. The church was filed In
every corner, floor, and galleries.
The scene on the platform was interesting.
On one side sat the faculty, radiant, each
member in full possession OF his due share
Of professional dignity and button hole
bouquet. On the other were the graduates,
thifty-two In number, some white, some
colored, and two OF the former females.
Beautiful plants bounded the platform on
both sides, while the front was decorated
profusely with baskets OF choice flowers,
friendships offerings.
DR.. W. W. Patten, president Of the uni
versity, opened the proceedings with a brief
invocation; The orchestra followed with
IoDgey's Mexican serenade 'Mandelino."
DIR. I. b. Hood, the dean, then addressed
the graduates and gave comprehensive
sketch Of the history OF the medical depart.
ment Of Howard. Mr.. Walter Il. Smith
then blew BlschoT's "Silken Bands"
through coronet.
nc pTcSenbhtlOu Ol utHTeeb WIS ueAb III
order. DR.. Purvis called up the graduates
in squads, and President Patten gracefully
presented the sheepskins. A ludicrous clip
OF DIR. Patterns tongue was the cause OF
much merriment. While making the Gus
tomary speech he gravely informed the
graduates that they were now "doctors OF
divinity" instead OF "medlcine." He rectl.
fled the error amid uproarious laughter and
applause. One OF the graduates in medi-
cine was lady, Mrs. Love, whose brown
satin dress relieved the monotony OF the
array OF her masculine classmates. There
were twenty IN the medical class, six in
dentistry, and six In pharmacy. President
Patten then addressed the classes collect.
lively in most felicitous speech, full OF
sound advice aud good wishes.
The "Patrol Comiquen was rendered by
the orchestra. The strains OF "The Mobile
Buckn in this selection captured the audi
ence, and q repetition was demanded and
given.
OF the platform, escortlng q man OF about
30 years Of age; tall, well made, with an
easy grace in his movements aud a self
possession born of education II was DR..
Alfred l.. Wykham, the valedictorian Of the
medical class. He was perfect specimen
of manhood, and black as any American OF
African descent ever was. His address was
far above the level of the average produc-
ably able effort, and was enthusiastically
applauded.
Mr.. Frank Lusby followed with a xylo-
phone solo, 'TThe Rambler"
The valedictorian cf the class In dentistry
was DR.. Murdoch G. Smith. His remarks
were well received.
The orchestra ground ont Czibulka's
gavotte, "Stephani," and at its conclusion
DIR. Purvis introduced Howard's first lady
valedictorian, DR.. Mary L. Morrison, who
represented the class in pharmacy. The
fair doctor graduated In medicine last year,
and is, therefore, qualified In the two most
important branches of the profession. The
doctor had very pleasant appearance;
her shapely figure was set of by
black satin dress, the bodice of
which was striped with white OF
the same material and the snowy and sable
contrast continued down the left side of
skirt. A corsage bouquet of red and white
roses completed her costume. In the vale
dictory her pleasant voice was distinctly
heard In all parts Of the house. Her words
of greeting and farewell were received with
thunderous applause.
President Patten pronounced the bene-
diction and the large audience dispersed,
while Prof. Sousa's instiumentalists closed
the proceeding with spucci's galop "Il
Diavoletto."